One more chance to register

This year for the first time, citizens ages 18 and older can register to vote in person at their town hall on Election Day and cast their vote that same day — but only at town hall.

Tuesday was the final day for most people to be eligible to register in person ahead of time to cast ballots in the Nov. 5 municipal elections. But a law that went into effect July 1 will allow last-minute decisions to vote.

Registering to vote and voting on Election Day means the resident’s name won’t appear on the voting register and the person won’t be able to vote at a polling place, said Av Harris, spokesman for Secretary of the State Denise Merrill. A press release sent by Merrill’s office Monday noted that Tuesday was the last day for advance registration but has not yet released details about Election Day voting.

The law was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law in 2012.

Between now and Nov. 5, there are two other exceptions to the registration deadlines: A person who moves to Connecticut or someone turning 18 may still register before Election Day and vote at a regular polling place.

Absentee ballots are also available from town clerks’ offices for registered voters who are not able to vote at polling places on Election Day because they will be out of state or are unable to vote due to illness, physical disability or other reasons listed by state law. Absentee ballots will be available until the day before the elections, Nov. 4.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Nov. 5 for municipal elections in the vast majority of Connecticut cities and towns. Visit www.sots.ct.gov to download a voter registration form or application for an absentee ballot, view a town or city ballot, find out if you are registered to vote and look up where your polling place is located.